People around the world are taking notice of climate change. No longer content to sit on the sidelines, everyone is getting involved and are ready to do their part. You may be asking yourself some key questions. So here we are going to cover the following –
- What Is A Carbon FootPrint?
- What Are The Top Contributors To Carbon Footprints?
- How Can I Reduce My Carbon Footprint?
- What Are The Best Eco-Friendly Straws?
What Is A Carbon Footprint?
Your carbon footprint is an estimation of how much carbon dioxide and methane you contribute back into the environment, most of it invisibly. This measurement includes the type of products you purchase, how much energy you use including gas and even which fuels are used at the power plant you receive electricity from. You may be surprised to learn, that some consumer products have a larger carbon footprint than others.
Public transportation, use of solar power, reduction of one-use products are all lifestyle changes that can and will reduce your carbon footprint. But these types of lifestyle changes are not always the easiest to accomplish. Changes of this magnitude take not only planning and forethought but continuous conscious decisions until those changes feel natural. There is something we can do today to reduce our carbon footprint.
What Are Some Of The Top Carbon Footprint Contributors?
Let’s look at one of the biggest culprits when it comes to adding to your carbon footprint—plastics. The durability, affordability, and flexibility of plastics make them a ubiquitous part of our lives. However, plastic goods create a large carbon footprint simply because of the fact that their production and transportation all involve the release of carbon dioxide and methane.
On top of the carbon footprint issues, plastic waste is an enormous ecological offender. The arrival of plastic consumer goods replaced objects that were previously made from animals and for the most part, managed to benefit some species—such as whalebone hair combs which are now made from plastic. Despite the few positives, the biggest negative we see today is that plastics do not degrade quickly.
Instead, plastics create a lasting hazard for animal and plant life. Meaning the less plastic an individual person uses, the better. As such, disposable plastic straws have been singled out as an easily removable one-use plastic. According to 4Ocean, a single plastic straw can take as long as 200 years to decompose, and only one person can go through hundreds of disposable straws in a year. Yikes!
A new industry of eco-friendly, reusable straws has arisen. These straws reduce plastic waste and lower our carbon footprint by providing an alternative with minimal lifestyle change.
What Are Eco-Friendly Straws?
Since one-use plastics are top offenders, eco-friendly straw manufacturers have begun using other materials. Each material, of course, has pros and cons when it comes to waste and carbon footprints. Paper straws, for example, may disintegrate faster than plastic, but they produce a carbon footprint similar to plastic straws simply for the fact that they are produced and used in large numbers.
Bamboo straws, on the other hand, represent an eco-friendly step up from paper straws. Engraved Bamboo straws remain not only the most biodegradable straw available on the market today, but they last significantly longer than paper straws as well. Making them a great option for those looking to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Metal and glass straws come out winners in the eco-friendly race against one-use plastics. Laser engraved Stainless steel straws can endure years of use which significantly reduces their carbon footprint not only in production but with individuals who choose to use them as well. When stainless steel straws finally break or need replacing, they’re recyclable, making them an excellent eco-friendly choice.
Ready To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?
When you use a reusable straw, you’re not just eliminating needless trash but also the emissions that come from the production of disposable straws. Your carbon footprint shrinks. Remember, real change starts with small steps—as small as switching to reusable straws. So whether you’re on the hunt for a reusable straw for yourself or as a personalized eco-friendly gift, be sure to take a closer look at our engraved reusable straws.
